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There's plenty to see and do at the estuary.
The estuary walkway provides beautiful views, and there are signs along the way providing information about some of the birds you might see.
There is a lot of interesting wildlife at the estuary. As well as birds, the estuary is also home to some interesting plants and is an important habitat for native fish.
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The Manawatū Estuary Trust enjoys giving people the opportunity to learn more about this amazing environ
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Tara/White-fronted Tern Sterna striata
Endemic. At risk-declining.
The White-fronted Tern may be seen on the beach or the mudflats. It hunts for fish in coastal waters or a short distance further out.
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White-fronted Terns are a medium-sized tern with a black cap on the crown and nape which is separated from the black beak by a strip of white. In non-breeding plumage there is more white between the beak and cap. The upperparts are grey, and the lower parts white. The long tail is white and forked.
Frequently, towards the end of the summer/beginning of autumn a number of juveniles can be seen which are probably from the breeding colony at Waikanae.
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Frequently seen either perched on the beach or actively hunting for fish which they catch by diving into the water.
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Taranui/Caspian Tern Sterna caspia
Native. Threatened-nationally vulnerable.
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This is by far the largest species of tern to be seen at the estuary, and with a wingspan of a metre makes it similar in size to the Black-backed Gull.
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It is a large, stocky tern weighing as much as 780gms with a black cap that touches the beak when in breeding plumage, with a slight crest. The legs and feet are black, while the heavy beak is conspicuously red. Upperparts are grey and the underparts white. In flight the lower side of some of the primary wing feathers look black. In non-breeding plumage the black cap may be flecked with white.
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When feeding the Caspian Tern flies along over the water, 5 to 10 m up, looking down into the water to search for fish. On spotting one, it plunges down in a dive and enters the water briefly. Food is consumed while in flight.
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